Archive for 4 Ways to Lower Your Risk of Eye Disease

If you want to enjoy healthy vision well into your golden years, it’s important to get a head start on treating potential signs for eye disease. That’s why we’ve recommended these 4 easy ways to lower your risk of eye disease, no matter what your age.

4 Ways to Lower Your Risk of Eye Disease

1. Give yourself a 40th birthday treat.

Ophthalmologists agree that everyone should undergo a comprehensive eye exam on or around their 40th birthday. Here’s why: This is the age where the beginning signs of eye disease can start showing, so it provides your ophthalmologist the best chance to identify and start treating eye disease. Your eyes also tend to go through significant changes beginning at this age, so it’s important to set a baseline for what healthy vision looks like to you.

2. Examine your family history.

Knowing what’s in your family history can play a pivotal role in giving your ophthalmologist the information he or she needs to look out for certain eye diseases. Give your ophthalmologist as much family history as possible, as it increases the odds that any potential risk for eye disease can be curtailed early.

3. Stop smoking!

If you’re still smoking, now has never been a better time to quit. Smoking is undoubtedly terrible for your health, especially for your eyes: studies have shown that smoking can increase your risk for cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and more.

4. Protect your eyes from the sun.

Wear sunglasses that provide your eyes with 100% UVA/UVB protection. Doing so can help protect your eyes from increased risks for cataracts, fleshy eye growths, and even cancer.

Take the Next Step

If you are concerned about your risk of eye disease, schedule a consultation with ophthalmologist Dr. Jacqueline Griffiths at NewView Eye Center in Reston, VA today. Dr. Griffiths can personalize your eye care, which can ensure that you enjoy healthy vision for decades to come. 703-834-9777